Hazard Yet Forward
During National Nursing Home Week (NNHW), Sisters of Charity employees are donning blue T-shirts with the words ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ on their backs. To the average onlooker, the saying may be unfamiliar, but to the Sisters and many staff at Mount St. Joseph, the words have special meaning.
Ellen Dillon, administrative director of Residential Services, says NNHW coordinators at the Mount felt the motto was fitting for the year we have been through. “Longtime employees are very familiar with the motto,” she added. “We also realized that it would be a great opportunity to educate our newer staff persons on the meaning of ‘Hazard Yet Forward.’ It is an opportunity to share a bit of Mother Seton’s history as we look to her for inspiration.”
To the Sisters of Charity, the saying ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ has long served as inspiration in their lives and ministries. The motto is on the Seton family crest and has been used at various times in relation to Elizabeth as it seems, to many, to exemplify her spirit of carrying on through illness, bankruptcy, death of family members, making tough decisions, etc. The following Sisters offered their thoughts on what ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ means to them:
S. Ann Hunt
“You have a goal and there are hindrances along the way. In spite of those hindrances you keep going.”
S. Barbara Counts
“To live as fully, joyfully and gratefully as possible.”
S. Rita Maureen Schmidt
“‘Hazard Yet Forward’ means to me that we embrace the duty or ministry we are called to perform; unquestionably, with no reservation, always keeping in mind that we will always have God’s grace to embrace it and do it.”
S. Marie Pauline Skalski
“The future is unknown but if we proceed forward with trust, love and peace in our hearts all will be for the glory of God.”
S. Jean Miller
“‘Hazard Yet Forward’ is that call to be aware – what am I seeing, hearing, feeling. Am I being called to challenge myself to respond in some new way to the Gospel?”
S. Victoria Marie Forde
“Just as Elizabeth did, no matter what the obstacles, we must go forward to whatever God is calling us to do.”
S. Mary Barbara Philippart
“After prayerful discernment, if an action, project, work or decision seems to be the Will of God, it should be undertaken in spite of difficulties and the unknown.”
S. Diana Durling
“This expression contains the inner feelings and emotions we struggle with as we risk daring to change and move forward. We use the strength and peace we feel to pursue (individually or community wise) what God calls us to do regardless of the difficult changes we are called to do so that we will be transformed, knowing God’s love and sharing deeply that love with others.”
S. Martha Walsh
“In Mother Seton’s challenge ‘Hazard Yet Forward’ I hear a call to move forward. How do I know when we are being called in many different directions? ‘Hazard’ implies that there will be some difficulties along the way. This would not be a reason for not accepting the challenge, but it will necessitate my listening to respected sources.”
S. Shirley Dix
“For me it means to take a risk, yet move forward gently, lovingly and in peace.”
S. Jane Diba
“My parents coming from Czechoslovakia with two toddlers, leaving family and siblings behind. My father walking to the steel mills and living through the Depression. When you can’t take another step, take two. That’s what my parents did.”